A Memorial to Stonewall Jackson

Stained Glass Window in Roanoke Church,
Depicting Hero's Last Words,
Recalls Tragedy of 73 Years Ago Today

By Kathleen Shelor

Commemorating the death of General Stonewall Jackson, which occurred May 10, 73 years ago today, a stained glass window in a Negro church in Roanoke, Va., picturizing the last words of the great military genius, is one of the most touching of the Confederacy's memorials.

It exists because of many years of untiring work on the part of the Rev. Lilburn L. Downing who has served 40 years as pastor of the church and whose parents were members of a Sunday school class taught by General Jackson.

In the early days of his struggle to erect a fitting tribute to his favorite hero of history, the minister, then a young boy, found it took courage for one of his race to persist in such an undertaking. Had he been seeking to honor Lincoln, the great emancipator, he would have met with the heartiest enthusiasm among his own people and doubtless would have received co-operation of generous gifts from friends in the North. But as it was, few understood his ardor in his self-chosen cause, and those who were eager to lend aid were financially unable to do so. However, he was not to be turned aside from his goal by those who ridiculed his aspirations or offered discouragement, and in 1906 the window was installed and publicly unveiled.

Because of the many difficulties overcome and the long years of devotion required for its achievement the tribute of the Negro preacher, in the opinion of many, is more impressive and spectacular than the gift of the wealthy Frenchman who sent 5,000 medals, one for each member of the Stonewall Brigade, when that famous military unit was at the height of its glory.

When the window was unveiled "Uncle" Jeff Shields, General Jackson's Negro bodyguard during the War Between the States, made the chief address. Prominent citizens of Roanoke were also on the program while the local organization of Confederate veterans attended the exercises in a body.

Press associations carried a story of the event which brought to the pastor of the church letters from many parts of America and several from England, commending him for his appropriate and beautiful memorial to the great Stonewall.

Memorial Designed By the Pastor

The window, in the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, is the central and largest of a group of three in the front of the building. The pastor himself was the designer, having drawn a pen sketch from which the artist worked out the picture. The scene, in richly blended colors on the glass, is based on the dying words of Jackson:

"Let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees," the words being inscribed on a scroll beneath the picture.

It is the view of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. There is a meandering stream, widening as it courses its way to the sea. On the left bank is seen a typical Virginia log cabin, in the door of which stands a farmer's wife with milk and delicacies for the sick, suggesting the hospitality for which Virginia is known. Near the cabins are tents, before which guns are stacked, and soldiers in various camp occupations.

In the foreground is an officer's tent with the flaps closed and the famous "white signal," a handkerchief, hanging on the outside to proclaim that the occupant is at prayer and is not to be disturbed. Platoons appear to be vigilantly scanning the roads, fields and hillsides. Across the river is a grove of shade trees whose foliage invites the weary-worn traveler and soldier to refreshing repose, emblematic to that "blissful rest promised to the people of God."

The two smaller windows which support the Stonewall Jackson Window are also memorials; one to Colonel J. T. L. Preston, for years superintendent of the Sunday school which the pastor attended during his boyhood, and the other to Dr. James I. Brownson and his wife of Washington Pennsylvania, by whose prayers, counsel and financial aid the pastor was assisted through college.

Early Became Devoted to Christian Soldier

The little colored boy was much impressed with the accounts of the life and work of the great soldier and teacher. As he grew older and studied the life of this hero of his own community he came to regard Stonewall Jackson not only as one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, but also as one of the best friends the Negro race had ever known.

He frequently visited Jackson's grave in Lexington and continually lamented the fact that the place was marked only by a simple stone. Early in his life he became filled with a burning desire to erect a monument more worthy of the illustrious benefactor of the colored people of the town.

The ambition never left him and the determination to express in some way his personal appreciation and gratitude was rekindled when, as a student at Lincoln University, one day he read in a book on Jackson's life the following statement:

"During the same week that Jackson was given the name of Stonewall by General Bee at the First Battle of Manassas it became known in Lexington that Dr. William S. White, then pastor of the Lexington Presbyterian Church had received a letter from the famous member of his congregation, whose praises were being sung by the whole countryside. Expecting to hear some new details of the great battle and something of how Jackson and his men had managed to make the stand which had won them imperishable fame, the people of the town crowded in to learn the letter's contents.

"They were disappointed, for it did not even mention the battle. The most important matter referred to was a check for the expenses of his Sunday school for colored children, which the writer had enclosed with an expression of deep regret that he had so long neglected sending it."

After completing his university course and receiving his ordination as a Presbyterian minister, Lilburn Downing again visited the Lexington cemetery and looked with approval at the splendid monument which by that time had been erected at Jackson's grave. However, the urge to make some personal expression of his admiration and gratitude persisted, and when he became pastor of the Roanoke church he conceived the idea of the memorial window. His project was given the approval and assistance of the officers of the church and the dream of his life was realized 30 years ago. The window is one of Roanoke's most interesting memorials and is much admired by the residents as well as by visitors.

Only one thought mars the joy of the aged minister in his memorial to Jackson. Glass is a fragile material and the window may be broken, so he hopes during his remaining years to erect a more permanent memorial. At the Lilburn Downing High School for colored students in Lexington, named in his honor, the minister hopes to have built a Stonewall Jackson arch or some other lasting monument to his hero.